On Monday, Foreign Minister Amr Moussa addressed the annual meeting of the board of governors of the Peres Centre for Peace. Here we print the full text of his speech Mr President, ladies and gentlemen: When I first addressed this distinguished forum at its inaugural ceremony, a year ago, I conveyed a message from President Mubarak to the people of Israel... a message of peace... our common goal. Today, I come carrying and reaffirming the same message... a message of peace... and I think that I speak on behalf of 150 Arab representatives present today. Many would see this as a positive and encouraging sign, that a message of peace from Egypt -- from the Arab world -- to the Israeli people is being expressed at the beginning of 1999, the last year of the second millennium, but a crucial year for the process of peace. Others may look at it with some scepticism, which leads to criticism. Not because they are enemies of peace... or because they see futility in pursuing peace, but because they ask...: Why are the peoples of the region still far from enjoying the fruits of peace, although their leaders never cease to confirm their commitment to peace? Why, after Camp David, Madrid, and Oslo, hasn't peace become a reality and a fact of life? Why, at the turn of a new millennium, isn't the file of the Arab/Israeli conflict closed... indeed, why is the term "Arab-Israeli conflict" still alive? Why, they ask, are the people of the region celebrating the opening of the Gaza airport with such fanfare? Has their sense of progress been reduced to considering what seems to be a simple and marginal development as a major breakthrough? Have their ambitions and dreams for a better future become so limited? These are very valid questions in my view. The difficulties, indeed the crises, of the past two and a half years, have emanated from attempts to distort our vision and restrict our aspirations. Instead of realising grand ambitions for regional peaceful relations, some of us are desperately looking for small steps here and there in the hope that the process will remain "alive". While we spent 1993 to 1996 moving from one "breakthrough" to another, we were forced to spend the period between the spring of 1996 to the end of 1998 trying to find ways to get previous agreements and commitments implemented... some of which were quite simple and straight forward. This, unfortunately, is a sure sign of failure, indeed, a major failure for the peace process. I don't think this abysmal state... should be the source of pride for anybody who is serious, or for any policy that is sound, or for any government that is responsive and responsible. To lower the expectations for peace is to lower the expectations from peace... It is a negative achievement... if we can call it an achievement. This also applies to the policy of putting the Palestinians under constant and tremendous pressure so as to leave them with little room to manoeuvre... This is not the way to deal with a partner, nor will it succeed except in fueling frustration and inviting people's wrath. Ladies and gentlemen, let me be as frank as a genuine peace partner must be. This current situation is untenable... We cannot, and should not, continue to drift down such a disastrous road... This situation is the direct result of the current Israeli policies. I emphasise in this respect that it is not our intention to personalise maters, but rather to act upon substantive and objective considerations. The policy of procrastination, delaying or suspending the implementation of agreements or adding new conditions and preconditions... the practices of accelerated settlement activities and land confiscation... the constant questioning and undermining of the agreed principles of peace... distorting the relationship between peace and security, by alleging that security must prevail irrespective of any movement towards peace, rather than conceding that peace leads necessarily to greater security... the demonstrated disrespect of other countries and other partners and the feeling that the government of Israel can impose its will on them... All such policies and attitudes have brought the process to a virtual standstill and will result in nothing but further difficulties for all, including Israel. I understand that our task should be to revive and sustain a viable peace process, and rebuild trust and openness in our relations regardless of the cries and shouts of extremist forces on both sides, in order for us to live together in peace and prosperity. Distinguished guests, It is believed that in November of 1977, when the late President Sadat landed in Israel on his historic trip, the late [Israeli] Prime Minister Golda Meir asked him "Mr President, what took you so long?" Now , it is our turn to ask today's Israel: What is taking you so long? And this is the core of our message: What is taking you so long? Why adopt such policies that can only result in loss of faith and confidence? Why insist on undermining and discrediting partners... Indeed, why turn down the offer of partnership? Why act as if peace is a threat to Israel, or as if it can be "unilaterally imposed" upon the other side... Why this change in attitude? We have seen positivie attitudes from Israeli and Arab leaders, so why the change? The Arabs have recognised Israel as a neighbour and a partner in the Middle East; I am in a position to reaffirm that. They unanimously committed themselves to the pursuit of peace as a strategic decision in the 1996 Arab summit and, again, I reaffirm that. Had it not been for the policy of "lower their expectations", we would have achieved much by now in regional economic cooperation, which has been a casualty of that policy. The Palestinians have accepted, irrevocably, the existence of Israel, and endeavoured to implement in good faith their obligations under the signed agreements, including that of amending their National Charter and that of seriously engaging in ensuring security. The Syrians and the Lebanese are open for peace and have negotiated with Israel in good faith and managed to reach concrete understandings on some vital issues. The international community, in particular the United States and Europe, supports the pursuit of peace and spares no effort to move it forward. What more can any sound policy ask for? Ladies and gentlemen; we all have a vision for the future of the Middle East... for a better future in the Middle East... for its security, stability and prosperity. It stands on one pillar and one pillar only: Comprehensive and fair peace. No other option is viable. The Arabs are ready for it. The world is ready for it. Could it be that only the current policy of Israel is not ready for a peaceful settlement with its neighbours? The only viable formula for genuine peace is that it be an Arab/Israeli peace. This formula was accurately translated in 1991, in Madrid, as the principle of land for peace... a principle from which no deviation should be allowed. It remains, as it always will, the only workable alternative. An "Israeli peace" will not work, just as an "Arab peace" cannot work. It is the only formula that will ensure the security of the region and all its states, including Israel. Nothing in it should be construed as a threat to anyone. Let no one believe the allegation that the Arabs seek the destruction of Israel, or that their disagreements with the policies of the current Israeli government are signs of animosity towards the people of Israel. Let no one give credence to the claim that a Palestinian state is a threat to the security of Israel or that it will fall under the control of extremist forces... Why give in to such radical unjustified assumptions, prejudgements and prejudices? Equally, let no one come under the delusion that the Arabs will "simply surrender" any of their rights, or that they will consider peace just and lasting without the return of the Occupied Territories, the establishment of a Palestinian state and a fair and workable solution to the questions of Jerusalem and refugees... All of them to be firmly negotiated between us. Their expectations will never be "lowered" to such a degree. In this respect, I firmly believe that the policy of "lowering expectations" will never succeed. Arab expectations, indeed those of the whole world, are based on Resolution 242, the Madrid terms of reference and the Oslo principles..., not on the policies of the current Israeli government. Those principles are here to stay... There is no going back on them. I therefore call on the current Israeli government to "lower its expectations" that its policies will succeed. We supported the American initiative on the Palestinian track when it was launched in the middle of last year. We also supported the Wye Agreement, and still strongly do, although many thought it represented the bare minimum of what was required. We have done so on the basis that the Agreement is a transitional one and that its implementation would pave the way for the resumption of the permanent status negotiations in a positive and conducive atmosphere. But this support should not be taken to mean that this "bare minimum" is anywhere near satisfactory as the final outcome of the process, especially in its territorial aspect. Nor should it be taken to mean that the "mere" signing of the Agreement was sufficient to consider the obstacles overcome or the Rubicon crossed. Full implementation is the key and an absolute must. Agreements are concluded to be implemented, not just to be celebrated. The coming few weeks are very crucial for the process. Much needs to be done so that we may move forward at this important juncture and avoid facing a new crises. In this vein, a number of facts must be made clear: 1-The Wye River Memorandum must be implemented fully and without preconditions. This is a true test of the real intentions of all sides. 2-The resumption of the permanent status talks cannot proceed in a vacuum. These talks are not separate or independent of the interim period, they can only proceed from the full implementation of its agreements. 3-The Syrian and Lebanese tracks ought to be revived, but those two parties are not interested in protracted negotiations. Respect for agreements and commitment to their implementation is what they seek. The Israeli government's commitment on the Palestinian track and its capacity for implementation is their testing ground. 4-Multilateral regional cooperation is an integral and essential part of the process. We support it fully and we are committed to its objectives. Naturally, it must proceed in a conducive atmosphere. Real progress on the bilateral tracks, serious negotiations and full implementation will undoubtedly boost the chances of fruitful regional cooperation. 5-The establishment of a viable Palestinian state is the central goal of the peace process between the Israelis and the Palestinians. It is the core of the permanent status negotiations. Short of that, peace will not be just or comprehensive, nor will real security be established in the Middle East. We must all work together during the coming weeks on allaying Palestinian concerns in this regard. Without such positive signals, indications and steps, in particular from the Israeli side, President Arafat cannot be expected to change his plans concerning that central goal. On the other hand, I am aware of Israel's interest in that a Palestinian state is a peace-loving one... I assure you that we have no quarrel with that, nor do the Palestinians I believe. It is time to end hesitation on this matter. Israel's future relations with the Palestinian people must be determined on the basis of two states. The establishment of a viable Palestinian state will consecrate the recognition of the state of Israel and will contribute to ensuring its security. Ladies and Gentlemen: I know that there are extremist forces on both sides... that there are enemies of peace and reconciliation... and that there are those who portray political compromise as sacrilegious. And I know that such trends raise concern and cause insecurity... and rightly so. But we cannot afford to succumb to such radicalism. We must not dance to its tune. We cannot allow our future and that of our children to be decided according to the whims of marginal forces, no matter how vocal or frightening they may be. Courageous decisions and noble visions are not without risk... but their long-term benefits are much more enduring than those of political manoeuvring. Thus do politicians become statesmen... and thus can we make peace. Shimon; When I received your kind invitation to address the annual meeting of the international board of governors of the Peres Centre, I noted that it would focus on "Peace Building in Progress". I also noted that you wisely chose a forward-looking and dynamic title. Truly, peace building is a continuous and progressing process. But for any "building" to withstand the test of time, it must have solid foundations... So must peace be built. At the inaugural ceremony of your centre in 1997, I outlined the foundations of peace in the Middle East. I emphasised the need to respect the principle of land for peace... the centrality of fulfilling the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and to the establishment of their independent state, and the right of Israel to live within secure and recognised borders, which should also be the right of each and every other state in the region. We must all play our part in protecting and promoting the principles of peace. You, Shimon, and your centre have contributed, and still do, to this objective... but, of course, more can be done. I suggest in this regard that your centre initiate a study on the issue of arms control in the region. This is a very serious issue. It should not, and cannot, be ignored. Ladies and gentlemen; If I have portrayed a bleak picture or transmitted a sense of pessimism, then I assure you that such was not my intention, for it is not my conviction. I sincerely and genuinely remain confident that peace is within our reach and that we shall eventually achieve it... And as Shimon said: "What do we do with scepticism anyway?" I have faith in the peoples' instinctive yearning for peace and their natural inclination to justice and fairness. The longing for just peace and the determination to achieve it are widespread among the majority of the peoples of the region, Israelis and Arabs; it is the craving of every mother, father and child. No one can, or must be allowed to deprive us of this dream... Peace is too noble to relinquish, as President Mubarak always says. Shimon, at the end of your recent article in the Jerusalem Post you stated "Let us not turn away from the hand extended in peace." And to this I say, our hand has been and will continue to be extended to the people of Israel to be partners in the pursuit of just and lasting peace... a peace to end all wars, all fears and all insecurities... Peace with dignity and fairness, and turn the Middle East into a prosperous place. The Arabs are reaching out for a peace partner in Israel. Thank you
